Constituency Office

Best Start Grant Payments Supporting Families In Time For Christmas The Member of Scottish Parliament for Inverness and Nairn, Fergus Ewing MSP, has welcomed recent announcements from the Scottish Government that the first payments under the new Best Start Grant will be delivered to families in the Inverness and Nairn constituency in time for Christmas. […]

Skiing and snow sports on Cairngorm are crucial to the local economy. They are also part of the culture of the local communities. The current problems which have arisen are of very serious concern both to me and HIE. Strathy readers, many of whom work in the sector, and many more who care passionately about […]

Funding for enterprise projects confirmed. Four key enterprise projects will reinvigorate the south of Scotland’s economy and stimulate inclusive growth, supported by Scottish Government funding. The South of Scotland Economic Partnership (SOSEP) has awarded £7.68 million to projects across Dumfries and Galloway and the Scottish Borders, to provide careers opportunities and build community resilience. £6.6 […]

Responding to the publication of the UK Government’s draft fisheries White Paper, “Sustainable Fisheries for Future Generations”, Fisheries Secretary Fergus Ewing said: “It is deeply frustrating that once again the UK Government has failed to substantively engage with us while developing its future fisheries proposals. This near lack of formal engagement presents a significant and […]

I am very disappointed that RBS have announced the closure of banks across the Highlands. However, I have pressed them to provide other options at meetings held with senior bank representatives. Below you will find information and details of drop-in clinics with the RBS community banker which may be helpful to my constituents. […]

Funding for projects supporting locally-produced food and drink Small grants of around £5,000 each will be made available to promote Scottish produce. Recipients will include local food and drink producers, and regional food and drink networks, who traditionally can find funding difficult attract. The fund will open for applications in May and be overseen by […]

I have had several constituents in touch to raise their serious concerns regarding the current standard of the Nairn Academy building. Ensuring our children’s education is of the highest standard is an issue that is of vital importance to many members of the public. Indeed, many of you have expressed such views to me. I […]

Derek’s Day It was Derek Mackay’s, Scotland’s Finance Secretary’s day in Holyrood when the first stage of debating our budget proposal led to endorsement by the Scottish Parliament. The package of measures will increase spending in the areas that I believe constituents value most – and cause most concerns about cuts resultant from the poorer […]

by Fergus Ewing MSP To some people the term ‘rural economy’ conjures up images of sleepy, traditional industries, where very little changes from one generation to the next. In reality, the rural economy is vibrant, diverse, and changing all the time. My job is to build on that vibrancy, and encourage more diversity, to help […]

FARMING AT RISK Leaving the single market and customs union poses a serious risk to Scottish farming, an independent study has concluded. Scotland’s Rural College has analysed the potential economic impact of three potential post-Brexit trade scenarios on four farm types – beef, sheep, dairy and crops. These include: •Bespoke free trade deal with the […]